KULLU, June 18: Prime Minister Atal Behari Vajpayee, on his first visit to Himachal Pradesh after the BJP-led government came to power at the Centre, today announced a Rs 100-crore package for development projects in the state.He was addressing a gathering at the Dussehra Grounds shortly after his arrival here on a six-day visit. Referring to Pokharan II, the Prime Minister said the nuclear tests were conducted for "self-defence, security and safety of the country". By conducting the tests, he added, the country had shown its strength and commitment to the security of the country.Vajpayee deplored the "unsolicited advice" offered by various countries asking India to destroy nuclear arms and said those very countries should have done it first.India had always performed the role of a custodian of peace, he said and regretted that the country nevertheless had had to face aggression. He stressed that India was not in favour of an arms race but that if it had continued to procrastinate on the tests, thecoming generations would have "never forgiven the present generation".The country was facing many problems, the Prime Minister said, adding Himachal Pradesh, with its difficult geographical conditions, needed special attention in the matter of development.Vajpayee assured the gathering that the Centre would make every effort to eradicate the problems of this far-flung hill state and said the government had chalked out a plan for the welfare and upliftment of scheduled castes and scheduled tribes in the country which would benefit these sections in Himachal Pradesh as well. He also stressed the need for smooth and systematic promotion of tourism in the state. Thanking the Prime Minister for the financial package, state CM Prem Kumar Dhumal said he would discuss the remaining problems with Vajpayee in the days to come.
